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Airway foreign bodies: A critical review for a common pediatric emergency

Alaaddin M Salih1, Musab Alfaki2, Dafalla M Alam-Elhuda3

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan; College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL, UK.

World Journal of Emergency Medicine
|March 24, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Airway foreign bodies (AFBs) are a common, life-threatening emergency in young children. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent severe complications like pneumonia and death.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Otolaryngology
  • Medical Literature Review

Background:

  • Airway foreign bodies (AFBs) represent a critical, interdisciplinary medical emergency.
  • This condition is a leading cause of death in infants and a significant concern in preschool children.
  • Despite its prevalence, AFBs are underrepresented in current medical literature.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the assessment and management of airway foreign bodies.
  • To highlight the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic strategies for AFBs in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive systematic search was performed in July 2015.
  • Databases utilized included PubMed and PubMed Central via the NCBI.
  • 1,767 articles were identified, with a focus on meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and case series detailing AFB assessment and management.

Main Results:

  • AFB episodes can be witnessed or missed, with witnessed events aiding diagnosis.
  • Key symptoms include persistent cough, wheezing, and dyspnea, though presentations are often inconsistent.
  • Flexible bronchoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, while rigid bronchoscopes are preferred for object retrieval.

Conclusions:

  • Prevention through close pediatric supervision and safe environmental/toy selection is paramount.
  • Immediate complications arise from obstruction or injury; prolonged lodging can lead to atelectasis and pneumonia.
Abstract

Keywords:
Airway foreign bodiesAirway obstructionAspiration/inhalationBreathing difficultiesCafé coronary syndrome

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